Biomedical Science
UCAS Code: C900
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
BBB in three A level subjects including Biology. BBC in three A level subjects including Biology and B in either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). BCC in three A level subjects including Biology for our contextual offer scheme (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaI¬offer). Excluded Subjects: We welcome the following subjects as an additional A level, but not as one of the core three A levels - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies. We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and only your latest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.
Access to HE Diploma
Subjects Accepted: Applied Science, Biology combined with Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Biosciences, Combined Sciences, Health Sciences, Health Sciences Professions, Life Sciences and Sciences.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Five GCSEs which must include Mathematics and English all at grade C/4. Please note we do not accept Key skills or Functional skills in place of these.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
31 points overall and must include grades 5, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects which must include Biology. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grade B in A-Level Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade C in A-Level Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A levels of which one must be Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade BC in two A levels of which one must be Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grade B in A-Level Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade C in A-Level Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A levels of which one must be Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade BC in two A levels of which one must be Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Scottish Higher
Biology at Higher Level required.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science course is offered as either a three year course or a four year course with integrated placement year. It offers a springboard for graduates to work within the NHS and other health-related institutions. Practicing NHS biomedical scientists require a degree accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) - an endorsement we have held for over 10 years.
During the course, you will gain a deep understanding of the main principles of how the human body works. Going beyond this, you will discover how biomedical scientists find new ways to cure or treat disease by developing advanced diagnostic tools or new therapeutic strategies.
If you want to practice as a qualified biomedical scientist within the NHS you will need to obtain a Certificate of Competence awarded by the IBMS. This is achieved by completing your placement in an UKAS accredited NHS clinical pathology laboratory in the West Midlands. Should you secure and successfully complete this placement you will be moved over to our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science course. This pathway is approved by the HCPC, the UK regulatory body for biomedical scientists, and graduates will immediately be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as professional biomedical scientist.
You will leave the university equipped with the essential knowledge and skills required for a variety of career opportunities. Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of areas or undertake postgraduate courses. Some choose careers as HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists, while others will choose to use their degree as a springboard into a variety of scientific or health related careers, including research, pharmaceutics, medical journalism, teaching, medical sales and marketing.
Key course benefits:
- Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).
- Our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science degree with accredited integrated placement year is approved by the HCPC.
- Our optional placement year offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experience and set your studies in the context of a working environment, designed to boost your future employment prospects.
- Top 20 in the UK for satisfaction with teaching (Biosciences, Guardian University Guide, 2020).
- Employed Aston Biological Sciences graduates earn £1,800 (11%) more than the UK average one year after graduating (LEO, 2017).
- 93.6% of students found the course intellectually stimulating (NSS, 2019).
Modules
Year 1*
Study key bioscience topics such as microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, inheritance and population genetics, development and human anatomy, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology and biomedical key skills.
Year 2*
Build on your knowledge of the subject by studying topics such as biomedical key skills, immunology, metabolism, molecular genetics, biomedical technology, nutrition and dietetics, endocrinology, human physiology, and molecular pathology.
Placement year (optional)
Gain valuable career boosting experience by setting your studies in a real world context of a working environment alongside professionals. Undertake your placement in a wide variety of settings such as hospital, industrial or research laboratories or non-laboratory settings. Placements can be taken in the UK, EU or internationally.
Final year*
Undertake an individual original research project and round off your education with studying topics such as infectious disease, food microbiology, haematology/transfusion science, cellular pathology, medical biochemistry and the biological basis of human disease.
For more information about what you will study, please visit our website.
*In order to offer you the best possible experience and keep your programmes up to date and relevant, the
University is going through a transition period at the date the content is set out (January 2019). The University is reconfiguring a number of its programmes so for the latest information please refer to our university website.
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The Uni
Aston University, Birmingham
School of Life and Health Sciences
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